310 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
October  1,  1903. 
Methods  of  Floral  Decoration.' 
A  progressive  inovenient  in  the  arrangement  of  floral  effects 
ha.s  been  manife.st  tO'  all  observing  admirers  of  the  blending  of 
colour  and  the  graceful  clustering  of  Nature’s  mo.st  beautiful  gifts. 
The  incongruous  massing  of  flowers  regardless  of  harmony  of 
colour,  ignoring  surroundings  Avhei’e  it  is  desirous  to  produce  an 
arti.stic  effect,  is  frequently  the  cause  of  failure  and  disappointing 
results.  Church  weddings  of  the  present  day  are  certainly  an 
improvement  on  the  decorations  of  long  ago,  which  is  no  reflection 
on  the  ability  and  refined  taste  of  the  operator  of  the  past. 
Lacking  the  material  from  which  to  select  for  pleasing  and 
beautiful  effects,  set  designs  of  decapitated  flowers  entered 
largely  into  the  arrangements.  Specimen.^  of  the  graceful  and 
.stately  Kentia,  with  its  dark,  rich  foliage,  conti*asting  in  colour 
and  characteristic  habit  with  Areca  lutescens,  the  expansive 
foliage  of  Latania  borbonica  and  other  natives  of  the  tropics  could 
not  then  be  obtained  in  .stately  specimens,  as  to-day.  One  of  the 
iuo.st  important  factors  in  church  wedding  embellishment  is  the 
proper  grouping  of  the  magnificent  Palms,  elevated  to  the  proper 
height,  not  in  a  conglomerated  ma.ss,  but  grouped  to  show  in¬ 
dividuality  and  graceful  habit. 
In  the  floral  arrangements,  cut  flowers  with  long  stems  are 
now,  and  should  be,  used  wherever  most  effective;  the  sacred 
altar  and  chancel  decorated  with  a  ta.steful  profusion  of  white 
flowers  and  Asparagus  plumosus ;  columns  or  arches  garlanded 
with  the  same  attractive  green,  or  perhaps,  which  is  more 
pleasing  in  a  large  hall  or  church,  the  glossy  foliage  of  southern 
Smilax,  introduced  in  the  north  a  few  years  ago  and  now  almost 
indispon.sable  to  the  floral  decorator.  The  Lycopodium  or  Christ¬ 
mas  green  roping  which  was  considered  very  essential  in  days  of 
yore  is  now  almost  obsolete,  except  for  the  Christmas 
festivities.  The  decoration  of  the  home  for  the  wedding  festivities 
has  been  somewhat  revolutionised.  AVe  seldom  behold  flowers  con¬ 
torted  in  such  emblems  as  Cupid’s  darts,  boAvs  and  arrows,  or  balls 
of  floAvers  mas.sed  in  solids  and  suspended  in  some  prominent  place 
in  the  draAving  rooms.  The  ancient  Avedding  bell  appears  to  be 
the  only  remiui.scence  of  “■  A'e  olden  time,”  and  its  apparent 
fascinating  influence  on  women  justifies  the  belief  that  the  old 
emblem  may  continue  to  ring  joyfully  for  many  moons  to  come. 
In  the  modern  treatment  of  the  house  the  .same  conditions  may 
be  adhered  to  as  in  the  church  or  hall,  the  grouping  of  the  plants, 
artistically  arranged  in  the  parlours  in  a  selected  corner,  forming 
a  boAver.  giving  sufficient  space  for  the  performance  of  the 
wedding  ceremony  and  for  the  bridal  party  to  receive  their  con- 
gi-atulations.  The  Avire  frame  in  the  .shape  of  a  canopy,  covered 
♦  P.aper  prep.ared  for  die  Milwaukee  Convention  by  Alexander  McConnell, 
■w  York. 
I  Avitli  green  and  Avired  floAvens,  has  lo.st  its  popularity,  and  is  noAV 
I  supplanted  by  the  dignified  Palm.  The  banked  mantels  of  groAA’- 
ing  Adiantum  interspersed  Avith  long  stemmed  Ko.ses  of  one  colour, 
;  arranged  in  a  loose  and  natural  habit,  is  much  more  attractive 
j  than  the  ancient  formal  stereotyped  arrangement,  Avhere  so  much 
I  Avood  and  Avire  entered  into  the  comstruction.  Garlands  of 
Asparagus  plumosus  or 
Smilax  entAvined  on 
mirrors,  and  also 
effective  Orchids  with 
stems  in  water  con¬ 
tained  in  small  glass 
tubes,  to  prevent  Avilt- 
ing ;  vases  of  long- 
stemmed  cut  floAA'ers  of 
distinct  colour,  har¬ 
monising  with  decora¬ 
tions  of  the  different 
rooms  to  be  treated, 
are  preferable  and  more 
artistic  than  the  former 
everyday  basket  ar¬ 
rangement,  even  if  the 
durability  of  the 
floAvers  Avere  the  only 
consideration.  It  is 
gratifying  to  observe 
there  is  less  ribbon  used 
in  conjunction  Avith 
floral  decorations  than 
formerly.  AA’^hile  ribbon 
embellishment  is  not 
objectionable  s  o  m  e  - 
times,  on  floral  designs, 
it  is  someAvhat  out  of 
character  garlanded 
Avith  floAvers  and  Smi¬ 
lax  in  the  draAving- 
room  decorations. 
The  construction  or 
arrangement  of  the 
bridal  bouquets  of  pre¬ 
vious  years  Avas  formal 
and  compact.  I  will  not 
reflect  so  far  to  the 
past  as  to  refer  to  the 
Camellia  and  Tuberose 
bouquets  of  thirty-five 
years  ago,  Avitli  a  border  of  Bristol  board  paper  surmounted  by  an 
edging  of  silk  fringe,  but  contrast  the  progre,ss  in  floriculture  of 
later  years.  The  introduction  and  groAving  of  impi'oved  varieties 
of  Ro.ses,  Orchids  and  novelties  of  every  family  all  a.ssist  the  artist 
in  forming  the  beautiful  and  graceful  bouquets  of  the  times. 
The  treatment  of  the  residence  for  receptions  or  dinner  enter¬ 
tainments  is  someAvhat  similar  to  decorations  for  the  Avedding 
celebration.  Illustrating  the  decoration  for  a  modern  festivity 
Ave  cannot  do  better  than  de.soribe  in  detail  one  of  the  many 
Avhicli  came  under  our  OAvn  consideration.  Groups  of  Palims 
arranged  for  best  effect,  AAere  relieved  by  cut  branches  of  For- 
.sythia  Fortunei,  Spiraea  prunifolia  and  Pyrus  japonica,  forced  for 
the  occasion,  and  loosely  arranged  in  concealed  vases  of  Avater. 
Mantels  and  mirrors  Avere  banked  and  treated  Avith  the  same 
floAvering  .shrubs,  all  producing  a  very  pleasing  effect.  Staiiuvays 
profusely  garlanded  Avith  Asparagus  plumo.sus  and  Forsythia  led 
to  the  main  floor,  AA-liere  the  dining  room,  library,  parlours  and 
conservatoi'y  Avere  throAvn  into  one  great  dining-room.  The 
tables,  Avhich  seated  300  gue.sts,  Avere  constructed  to  order,  the 
centre  portion  built  .separately,  .six  incbes  beloAv  the  outer  .sides 
for  the  placing  of  groAving  Orchids  in  pots.  With  tubs  concealed 
under  the  tabie-s,  the  trunks  coming  through  12ft  apart,  speci¬ 
mens  of  Dicksonia  antarctica  8ft  in  height  Avere  utilised,  their 
tropical  and  graceful  fronds  producing  an  admirable  and  tasteful 
decoration.  Hidden  and  suspended  in  the  fronds  by  flexible  Avires 
Avei’e  many  gla.ss  tubes  of  AA'ater,  each  containing  sprays  of 
Cattleyas.  GroAving  Orchids  embellished  the  mantels:  festoons 
of  A.sparagus  plumosus,  interspersed  Avith  Cattleyas,  beautified 
the  mirrors,  and  the  con.servatory  in  the-'background  had  brilliant 
colours  of  potted  Azaleas,  .sheltered  as  it  Avere,  by  the  overhang¬ 
ing  branches  of  tropical  foliage,  completed  one  of  the  most 
original  and  elaborate  decorations  of  the  season. 
Noav  as  to  the  accomplishment  of  success  in  the.se  “modern 
methods.”  It  mmst  be  remembered  that  these  results  can  be 
attained,  so  far  as  arti.stic  effects  and  charming  designs  are  con¬ 
cerned,  Avithout  any  expensive  and  elaborate  process  and  AA’itb 
even  limited  means  at  one’s  disposal.  If  one  has  the  love  of 
floAvers  and  the  soul  of  the  artist  Avithin  him,  as  evei-y  florist 
Avorthy  of  the  name  should  have,  the  “  modern  methods  ”  become 
a  delight.  It  AA'ould  be  an  interesting  .study  to  consider  hoAv, 
under  efficient  .supervision,  the  modern  methods  Avill  be  utilised 
in  Avorking  out  the  perfected  accomplishments  in  decorative  floral 
and  horticultural  achievements,  that  Avill  make  our  country  in 
this  re.spect,  the  admiration  of  others! 
